Witch Ball

By Crusader1307

Linked to Dunking Stools and other devices used to determine if a person was a Witch, Witch Balls were circular Orbs (resembling a Christmas ornament). Unlike The Dunking Stool, a suspected Witch was tied up with several Witch Balls attached. The suspect was thrown into a source of water. If the balls did not float, the suspect was not a Witch and was released. If the Ball floated the suspect was untied and taken to be hung confirmed as a Witch. The practice was popular in England in the 16th Century. In Colonial America, the practice of throwing Witch Balls into water sources near a home, was seen as a way of determining if a Witch was nearby. The Balls would (in this variation) sink in the event of a Witch being near. Some New England States still practice the superstition of The Witch Ball even today.